Incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he wants to "get cracking on" building relationships and starting conversations with respective political parties in forming a government. 

Speaking to Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking this morning, he acknowledged there is a large chunk of special votes still needing to be counted. 

Asked about his thinking on NZ First and party leader Winston Peters, he said: "I would prefer as I've always said, in a coalition National and ACT - I think that would be the strongest and simplest way to do it." 

But he said there are other things to consider, namely special votes and an overhang. 

"What I want to do is progress the relationship, progress arrangements. And we might move at different rates and different paces, with respective parties, but actually want to get on with that." 

Pushed on Peters and whether or not he would be part of the new government, Luxon was firm: "Again, I'm not going to go into that. I'm really not." 

"As I've said, my preference is to work with National and ACT - if we can do it alone, we will. But as I said, I'd pick up the phone and we would work with Mr Peters and New Zealand First." 

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